Kerry faces first Democratic foe since 1984 on Tuesday

Published 8:00 pm, Saturday, September 13, 2008

BOSTON -- Democratic voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether to back incumbent John Kerry in another bid for the US Senate.

Kerry, who hasn't seen a primary opponent since he first won the senate seat in 1984, is facing a challenge from newcomer Gloucester attorney Ed O'Reilly.

Both candidates were out on the stump over the weekend. Kerry attended a National Guard welcome home ceremony in Worcester and a charity foot race in Boston on Sunday. O'Reilly met with voters in Canton and planned to shake hands at South Station Monday morning.

Whoever prevails will face Republican Jeff Beatty, a former CIA official and member of the Army's Delta Force, in the November general election.

Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee for president, said he's not taking anything for granted, even in a race where he vastly outstrips his opponent in name recognition and fundraising.

"I'm running around," Kerry said Sunday in an telephone interview between campaign stops. "I do what I've always done my entire time in the Senate. I work hard. You go around and you respect the voters and respect the process."

Kerry has already aired a series of television ads and launched a tour of the state including "Kerry On Your Corner" town hall meetings. On Monday he planned to stop by the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center. The center treats returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with traumatic brain injuries.

Among voters' top concerns this year are the nation's rocky economy and the rising costs of gasoline and heating oil, Kerry said.

"A lot of families are hurting," he said. "They want an energy policy that makes us truly independent."

O'Reilly is still introducing himself to voters, but says many appreciate having a chance to vote for someone other than Kerry in a Democratic primary.

"I think people are finally waking up that there's a race, that this is their first chance in 24 years to replace John Kerry with another Democrat," O'Reilly said.

O'Reilly -- who's also launched television and radio ads, but to a lesser degree than Kerry -- said voters he speaks with say they feel Kerry doesn't connect with them.

"People feel that politicians in Washington are not paying attention to the American people, but especially that John Kerry is out of touch," O'Reilly said.

Kerry has much deeper political pockets.

According to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission, Kerry had $7.5 million left in his campaign account at the end of August compared to $177,285 for O'Reilly, who lent his campaign $583,422.

There are also a handful of state House and state Senate primary races.